Tom Dodge | DispatchTressel, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu, owned by Carrie Evans, not pictured, at Red Roof on June 20, 2014, with Mac, and Kevin Scholl. Mac has his picture on the wall there and has appeared in a commercial for Red Roof.

Tom Dodge | DispatchDebbie Wilson with her dog Reese on June 20, 2014, at Wheelsport in Reynoldsburg.

Others remained gated in an office outfitted with beds, toys and treats.

And the employees — unaccustomed to four-legged friends roaming the corridors — milled about to
meet co-workers’ pets. (One could be overheard joking about his lack of productivity.)

Welcome to the headquarters of Red Roof (“Woof”?) Inn.

So went the scene yesterday at the Downtown corporate offices of the hotel chain — the first
time that the company has marked Take Your Dog to Work Day.

More than 30 four-legged loved ones RSVP’d to the event, featuring dog photos, a pet parade and
donations to the Capital Area Humane Society.

“The dogs seem to be socializing well together,” observed Leslie Fisher, vice president of human
resources at Red Roof (with her pooch — 4-year-old Griffin, a boxer mix — lounging on the
floor).

“It’s one way to make people feel good that we care about their family.”

The festivities were part of the 16th annual national event, introduced by the educational
organization Pet Sitters International to promote pet adoption and celebrate the bond between
owners and dogs.

Because the hotel chain is pet-friendly for guests, marketing manager Kevin Scholl said, an
extension of the opportunity to employees “just made sense.”

His dog — Mac, a 4-year-old goldendoodle — is the official mascot for Red Roof. (A super-sized
picture of the dog adorns one wall of the office.)

As Mac followed his owner through the halls, Scholl mused about the irony of co-worker Carrie
Evans, a University of Michigan fan, having a dog named Tressel.

Evans, meanwhile, insisted that her Shih Tzu already had the name when she adopted him.

Other Columbus-area businesses, too, observed Take Your Dog to Work Day — including some that
are dog-friendly year-round.

“Seeing a dog sitting by someone’s desk isn’t surprising,” said Kristyn Wilson, associate
director for media at Resource, a digital marketing agency with an Arena District office that, on
any given workday, might house five dogs.

The idea appealed to Amanda Decastro when she accepted a job a month ago as senior manager of
client services with Resource, which employs 300 in Columbus.

“That’s what sealed the deal for me,” the 30-year-old said as her 3-year-old Chihuahua, Pepper,
interacted with another dog.

“I just think it’s a great part of the culture.”

Resource welcomed about 30 four-legged guests yesterday and celebrated with treats for the dogs,
pictures of owners with their pets and an Instagram contest.

Recent surveys suggest that pet-friendly workplaces aren’t as common in the United States as
many in the workforce would prefer.

A Pet Parent survey conducted this year by Wellness Natural Pet Food showed that 12 percent of
U.S. dog owners are allowed to take their dogs to work but that 48 percent of those who aren’t wish
they could.

And, according to a 2013-14 survey by the American Pet Products Association, 75 million
Americans think pets in the workplace make people happier.

“It seems to be a tremendously positive day for everyone,” said Al Townshend, a veterinarian
with Wellness Natural Pet Food.

Well, maybe not everyone.

“Some people aren’t dog people,” said Lisa Orndorff, manager of employee relations for the
Society for Human Resource Management.

Before allowing pets in the office, Orndorff said, owners or managers should consider the
challenges of allergies, phobias, barking and sanitation.

Employers, she said, need to establish clear guidelines and allow dog-averse employees time to
make alternative arrangements, whether that be working from home or taking the day off, she
said.

And they might consider establishing a dog-free zone or allowing the dogs to be in the office
for only part of the day, Orndorff said.

Townshend, the vet, recommends that owners give their dogs a good bath and grooming — to wash
out allergy-

triggering dander — before taking them to work.

Owners should also prevent dogs from wandering by controlling them with a collar and leash.

Dogs with behavioral issues, Orndorff said, should be left at home.

“The owner needs to be cognizant of what their dog could tolerate,” she said.

A dog bite could prompt questions of liability: Is it a workers’ compensation claim, or is the
owner personally liable?

The answer could vary from company to company, said Orndorff, who suggested that employers work
with legal counsel to form a policy addressing animal behavior, immunizations, hygiene and any
damage or injuries that pets might cause.

Still, Townshend thinks the possible negatives outweigh the benefits and that employers should
consider allowing dogs regularly as a perk.

“Dogs really appreciate the relationship they have with humans,” he said.

“We seem to gain so much from them, and they gain so much from us as well.”